In 1949, during the Cold War, the Board of Regents of the University
of California imposed a requirement that all University employees sign
an oath affirming not only loyalty to the state constitution, but a denial
of membership or belief in organizations (including Communist organizations)
advocating overthrow of the United States government. Many faculty, students,
and employees resisted the oath for violating principles of shared governance,
academic freedom, and tenure. In the summer of 1950, thirty-one "non-signer"
professors--including internationally distinguished scholars, not one
of whom had been charged of professional unfitness or personal disloyalty--and
many other UC employees were dismissed. The controversy raised critical
questions for American higher education.

Were you a faculty member, student, or employee
of the University of California during the loyalty oath controversy?

The UC History Digital Archives is collecting
recollections from those who experienced or witnessed the impact
of this period on University of California campuses during the period
1949-1951.

We invite you to share your recollections,
and, with your permission, we will post your story online. Please
contribute your story to the growing collection of documents and
images gathered here that recount major events in the history of
the loyalty oath controversy.